VEGETARIANISM

In the industrialized developed countries, fish is an important part of the food. Particularly rich in the United States, is the main dish of meat meal for many people. But in recent times, vegetarianism has become a movement. Processing all kinds of vegetarian food sold in health food stores (health food stores). In this context, one fasts for different reasons: environmental protection, health care, animal loving, trendy reasons, and also because of commercial reasons.

When there is a vegetarian, there are people making vegetarian-engineering method to sell. And of course to increase sales and profits, people promote the benefits of a vegetarian diet in order to increase the number of people consuming vegetarian food. Here mention vegetarianism as a social phenomenon in Europe and America, which only think about fasting in Buddhism, and from the standpoint of general nutrition.

Vegetarianism in Buddhism:

Vietnam who often said that fasting is a practice required by the monks and Buddhists. The monks have vegan, that is absolutely not in any case be carnivorous fish. Depending believers wish that fasting one or more days in a month or vegetarian. Strictly speaking, the requirement applies only vegetarian monks Mahayana Buddhism, transmitted from China to, Mahayana Buddhism called, the Theravada Buddhist monks, or Theravada, traditionally begging actually, it is not obligatory fasting, but to eat the food by the masses as grace given.

 This discrepancy has led some researchers to explore books, to see the Buddha's teachings on vegetarianism vegetarians are, to assign to the left. The proof, of course, vary depending on the source texts and depending on personal prejudice against vegetarianism.

Theravada Buddhism that Buddha was not a vegetarian, does not question the savory vegetarian, and monks seeking alms goods received, without distinction, the public contribution to the food offerings. Conversely fasting is a practice of mandatory requirements in the classic Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, many people believe that vegetarianism is a particular focus of Mahayana Buddhism. Really, we should know that some Japanese monks of Mahayana Buddhism also eat meat. Also, a Tibetan Mahayana sect (red shirt) is also eaten. Even some to death when the Dalai Lama to the United States preaches when asked about the food nor savory vegetarian question. In the book "Perspectives Regarding Buddhist Vegetarian" Tam Dieu authors wrote that "fasting is not the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism in general and Chinese Mahayana Buddhism in particular." Noble Center has documented a number of documents to confirm the "vegetarians had during the Buddha in the world and flourished in the era of Asoka, the Indian emperor who ruled from 274 years to 232 years BC original".

Vegetarians and health:

Tam Dieu author has invoked scripture, just based on some theoretical scientific literature and contemporary articles on ecology to promote vegetarianism. This article is not intended that just want to put up some thoughts on fasting, on the basis of personal knowledge about Buddhism, as well as nutrition.

The Theravada Buddhist monk for that liberation is not due where to eat, but from where three industrial pure body and mind. Export vegetarians that do not heal themselves, comprise the sword, not the rule does not hold any benefit. This argument is not much different from ordinary thinking, "said right-vegetarians than vegetarians lie". This so-popular theory is also slightly out taking into consideration all vegetarian physician.

In contrast, according to Chinese Buddhism, vegetarianism is part of the teachings of the. Liang Dynasty (6th century after Christ), the king banned meat and fish in the palace banquet, urging people to vegetarianism and prohibits killing animals in Taoism rituals. Ming Dynasty (16-17 centuries), monk Chau Hoang Van The advocates vegetarianism is strong, so some have suggested that vegetarians starting this time. Advocating for requests vegetarian in practice the law, there are many arguments in the Mahayana sutras, as Lankavatara, Surangama, Mahaparinirvana? Vegetarianism is mainly considered the implementation of killing precepts, and also the practice of compassion.

Moreover, fasting is to avoid cannibalism, in which there may be a relative of his stomach was hard under the laws of reincarnation damnation. If that killing precepts and compassion does not only apply to people but also to apply to all the species of worm is on, the carnivorous creatures can not be apologetic. If absolutely believe in rebirth, as human life or animal life fully customizable causal karma decision, it is clear that also carnivorous animals eat human flesh. But the absolute confidence, as well as the interpretation of Buddhist teachings vary, depending on the culture and level of development of each nation as well as customized personal understanding.

Tale has it that in the Tran dynasty in a party by Nguyen Thanh Thien empress Comments treats both savory and vegetarian dishes, then Tuệ Trung, who founded the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen School Vietnam, has calmly eat fish. Empress surprised asked: "Do you meditate that fish and meat became Buddha stars are?" He smiled: "Buddha is Buddha, he is him. He did not need to do the Buddha. Buddha did not need him." Sergeant Wisdom is a spiritual level of enlightenment. His words are not the words of the Prince replied keep gasoline. The predatory fish Tue Trung course totally contradicts the Mahayana sutras. Where does truth? Fasting is a must, or salty foods is a must in the Buddhist spiritual practice?

Nowadays, there have been cases in the temple vegetarian meals full of dishes such as sausages, meat stock, steamed fish, fried shrimp? made vegetarian. Material, true that this dish made of vegetables net, no fish. But the spirit, the sense of eating sausages, meat stock, steamed fish? clearly expressed in the attachment to the notion of conventional heavy body and mind, not helpful at all for the religious. Compared to a Theravada Buddhist monk, naturally welcome any public offerings of food, do not look so good attention which, considered as one needs to eat normal and natural to live and practice, he vegetarians with dishes prepared picky palates service, excellent taste (?), may not be the place people closer to enlightenment. Say so nor to defend those who deliberately exploit the idea "openness", "remains at the heart tu" for which backsliding salty foods, your lie, dupe.

Vegetable And Nutrition:

Eat, originally was a natural requirement for survival, but gradually became a major sex life interesting, and is one of the motivating people struggling. From their living space to eat, it becomes hard for food. Suffering in the search for food has had, eating the wrong size but also because of becoming sick. In the circuit this thinking, if keeping food on the table does not become an obsession, with the inclusion complex requirements surrounding the sex was a step away. The Americans have a saying "You are what you eat", suggesting that food affects on humans. Put simply, eat more sugar added fat is easier obesity, cardiovascular disease or cancer, etc. This question is often raised by the nutritionist, the purpose is to advise people to notice about choosing healthy foods that avoid toxic foods appetizing oil and appetizing.

The old people do not talk like the Americans, but also the notion that the carnivorous animals usually creates fierce violence, such as tigers, while the same is generally gentle herbivores like deer cattle. The culture of the nomads breed, living by hunting and meat also features more aggressive aggressive culture of the people living in agricultural seed planting. For humans, the alcohol concentration is generally considered fatty goat dishes bestial human agitation. And not surprisingly, is the desire to seek spiritual person is bleeding sparrows, cobra blood, goat meat etc, but few people find fruit to eat vegetables. In summary the food affects the body and is important to the human spirit.

Many people, in fervor to promote vegetarianism, went to a confirmed vegetarian place better and better as people eat salty (ie predatory fish). In contrast, those who believe blindly not knowing many Western medicine argue that the food fish is indispensable to make the body healthy. Really the issue is not as simple as that. There are many Indians from small to large vegetarian healthy and still not illness. There are many people who only eat fish but everything illness sickness.

Generally, eating without properly, regardless of salt are not good vegetarian. Particularly about vegetarianism, it can be confirmed that the vegetarian food enough to give people the basic nutritional elements necessary for the body, including carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber and other substances vitamins and mineral salts. Nowadays one has to distinguish three types of vegetarians.

- The first type consists of agricultural products such as vegetables, beans, nuts, fruits, eggs, milk and byproducts (such as butter, cream, cheese).

- The latter also includes the food as above, except eggs.

- The third category consists of only fruit vegetables without eggs and milk byproducts. Vietnam people before, because no livestock development, dairy, and little less milk, and eggs are considered to have life, so vegetarians in the third category.

In terms of science, just one egg cells in a nutrient medium. If fertilized, the egg has recently become a fetus and developed into creatures when favorable temperature incubation by nature or in the incubator. A fact that industrial farming of chickens to lay eggs, the fertilized egg does not have just one cell, like many other types of cells everyday. Generally, vegetarian diet with dairy eggs not afraid malnutrition without knowing the characteristics of each type of food to the use of options in accordance with the appropriate rate.

Indeed, in the beans, especially soybeans, the protein, particles such as sesame seeds (sesame), nuts are high in fat. If poor vegetarian style old Vietnam mainly whole beans and vegetables without seeds and byproducts (tofu, oil, milk, soy), the malnutrition is uncertain. In contrast, the Vietnamese community in the US today, the way to prepare vegetarian food often widely used oil, sesame (sesame), peanut, coconut, sugar and so on to the delectable dishes, fleshy fat. Thus creating a balance diet, not good for the body. The only reason for using fat and sugar too much, are easy things cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Summary of it if known characteristics of each kind of nutrients that vegetarian to vegetarian options a balance according to the scientific knowledge, the vegetarian likely no different nutrients vegetarians, but also advantages to help people calm down, suitable for the quiet cultivation of the soul.

Vegetarianism and Spiritual Practice:

If invoked and interpreted every classic to say the Buddhist monk is to be or not to be a vegetarian, then a right and wrong to find this discussion will never end. Because as mentioned above, different texts depending on the origin of Mahayana and Theravada. These arguments Mahayana and Theravada are the ones own reasons. Buddhism again experienced a quiet period of nearly three centuries after the Buddha passed making books as well as the performance of different transmission inevitable. Besides the periodic gathering of the disciples in terms of several hundred years after the Buddha passed to discuss the rules have absolutely no consensus.

Here just like to present a practical perspective on vegetarianism, non-school way, dogma. As summarized above, vegetarian food is full of the qualities necessary for the needs of human nutrition (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins and minerals). So proper vegetarian eating salty no different in terms of nutrition. Also vegetarian food generally there are quiet influence on the human response,as opposed to foods of animal origin.

 Standing in terms of taste, all a habit. If used to eating a lot of fat and meat and fish can not enjoy the vegetarian food high in fiber powder. Conversely, if you do not eat meat, only fish familiar appetite with vegetables. Human beings are omnivorous category (omnivore), means eating everything, if suddenly only eat one type of vegetarian food, there will be difficulties.

Overcoming this difficulty is a spiritual endeavor, dismissed the ties of body and mind. However, as already described vegetarians but also draw hope, is sausages, fish, meat, then this spirit makes people trapped that reduce the loss of the meaning of vegetarian options.

Such views Buddhist layman gonna get yourself a proper attitude toward vegetarianism on the path to body and mind at peace. A simplicity and practical way, we can say that vegetarianism is a useful means of spiritual practice. 

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DO'S AND DONT'S GO TO PAGODA

There is no secret that I am a Buddhist. Not a super-religious one (I'm sure my mother cringed when she was reading this), but I grew up as a Buddhist, and my parents taught me the basics. One of my goals as a mother is to pass on the basics of Buddhism to M.

Yes, we realize it is hot in Southeast Asia. However, you are on holy grounds while visiting a Buddhist temple and you really should pay attention to work and don'ts. If not, do not be surprised when a Buddhist as I walked up to you to tell you how you are wearing inappropriate clothing and / or behavior.

I will admit that heat is a killer, but there are rules and I follow them whether I am in a mosque, a church or a Buddhist temple. I look forward to this very same from M also in our trip.

Bow and pay homage to the temple and Buddha statues.

Take off your shoes in the house or around the field. This makes the process easier one for yourself by wearing slip-on shoes. Do not wear tennis shoes and complained about having to take off your shoes regularly.

Do not just into Buddhist statues, monks, nuns and / or older people with your feet (and anything for that matter). You will go to hell. Okay, maybe not immediately, but you get my point.

Women cover themselves. We do not need to see your breasts and your feet hanging out on all the temples on the field of honor where the Monks, Nuns and the elderly. A t-shirt with sleeves that can easily solve this problem. Stop whining and do it. It is the right thing to do or not to go to a temple.

Always carry a large wrap or a towel to cover yourself. But, please, do not use it and their CHE.

Do not wear shorts. You should be covered by at least below your knees.

Keep your head below the Buddha statues, photographs, Germany respected monks and nuns.

Do not touch (especially in the beginning) Buddha images, photographs, monks, nuns and elders.

Please avoid showing affection publicly. You can enjoy your honeymoon and could not keep your hands off of each other, but not all of us need to see your hands all over each other. You're not in the park, you're in a temple to pull yourself together and show some respect.

Keep silent. There are people who meditate or pray somewhere though you can not see them.

It can be very attractive for foreigners to see a reclining Buddha. However, do not get too close to a Buddha statue when photographed. When can kneel on the ground to your head under the statue.

Parents: It is the responsibility of the parents to talk to your child (ren) about the rules before coming to any temple, not at the time until it is too late and they were 3/4 way up the Buddha statues. Consider this a teaching moment about the culture of the country you are visiting.

See here for more information-Giving alms ceremony in Luang Prabang, Laos, including the important work to do and not to do. Please read this before you go to not look like a blockhead travelers.

Source: gotpassport

VU LAN HOLIDAY IN VIET NAM

For a long time ago, a legend of the Buddha "reincarnation" became a life and customs of Vietnam's culture, so that every year we have a date Vu lan - date signaling with father mother, grandparents, ancestors. To today, whether life has evolved, people still need to make every day living a day Vu lan ...

Even childhood, my family and I evacuated to the countryside. For years, every full moon in July is up to me to follow my mother to the temple. Often these days rain poured, my mother said it was the rain eventuality. Rain, small village temples but full passersby, my mother told everyone to the temple to burn incense signaling parents, grandparents, and for the "souls". Eat some porridge at flowers, holding popcorn package, I love it.

Then I grew up and joined the army, every year back home once or twice. See me skinny, she cried. Seeing my shirt torn, patched mother painstakingly sit for me. Mom started eating a lot, though that day my family life where there are abundant ... Yet until the spread is what Vu said, "Hungry Ghost" meaning the stars, said thinking of "One Heart Worship Honor your father and mother - Giving round Piety is directing the new "only a few years, my parents about where nine streams.

Not think I care, helping parents how much, confided to a friend, then a lot of people, too. "Having a new child knows parents heart" - the words of the ancients both words sum up, just as each person's commandment, whether as parents also need to preserve the filial filial piety.

Legend has it that the Buddha, formerly La Boc he followed the Buddha, religious enlightenment, became Bodhisattva Maudgalyayana (Maha Mahamoggallana) - one of his trusted disciples of the Buddha, there are many miracles . Since mother died should always bring joy Maudgalyayana missed. For his mother when he was, he used the "peephole" search every side, saw her mother in the "realm of the devil", was tortured while alive pole because she had caused sin. Maudgalyayana love my mother, he down "demon realms" put a bowl of rice that mom mother is not eating.

He returned to ask the Buddha. Hearing this, the Buddha said that though brilliant Maudgalyayana not save his mother, the only way people are teamed together. He then economic theory Vu lan (Ullambana Sutra) recommend to the full moon day in July, the same people Moggallana prepared so very sincere worship will save the mother. Buddha tells us who wish signaling to parents that do it that way. Maudgalyayana follow Buddha, save me.

Perhaps from this legend that forms the Vu Lan ceremony. Annual and Vu lan season, including the right to the full moon day in July, people come together to express affection, gratitude for you parents, thank grandparents, ancestors. It is signaling to the thanks of people born into - virtuous leader in "four gifts" of the Buddha, as the scriptures says: "An extremely virtuous parents, including not ever", "extreme conditions facilities tastes nothing. Ultimately evil, nothing with disloyalty '...

So when the word of the Buddha on an element of human morals, met with the mind, the emotions of the nation has "reincarnation" to launch a cultural customs "by religious from the beginning to the - Church father, mother glasses that are true practitioners. " So how life is, Vu Lan became a humanistic behavior in society, contributing to the maintenance and strengthening of family morality, the people uphold their lineage to remind filial filial. Moreover, filial become an important standard to judge people, but if not sincere, earnest practice will be public condemnation, ridicule community.

As the Vietnam, everyone knows exactly double the Alexandrine: "The father as Mount Tai - Mean mother as water from flowing out." Industry and parental nurturing is endless. Each person was born and grew up, for parents is always the pride and the result of the efforts to overcome many physical difficulties - spirit. Public father - Mother penetrates deep into every person, every family, clan, penetrates deep into the lifestyle of the community, should behave so deserve.

As one of the principles of ethical living, in the national tradition, filial piety is practical for each child, where parents have only at death, but the years of the time the parents are also weak pain should always take care of both physically and mentally.

So since ancient times, through her mother's lullabies, singing lullabies through dance, filial piety is the first moral lesson passed on in every family, and to this day, Vietnam culture still maintain, preserve keep proverbs, folk affirmed and expressed their respects to the level of student "knows preterm premature Up - child labor knows samples from", "Ever streamline dragon fish - thanks dad Temple treble old mother "," Church parents, in wholeheartedly - that is filial usually taught in rotation "," elderly mother in broken hut - Early visit, new visitor had dark womb, "" the evening of stand lane later - Peering in his motherland, nine-dimensional intestinal pain ", ...

Not only that, for those who neglect filial or borrow the "signaling" to do the wrong thing, our ancestors also reminded, disparagingly: "Fish do not eat salt spoilage - I do not listen to parents hundred lines naughty "," old Mom hanging out pots of rice - which he red towel, towel squeezed shoulder thing, "" Live, then I did not fed - Death, the meat away, as flies oration "...

On a broader sense, not only for Vu lan filial piety, but also the day "Hungry Ghost", as we are still talking about the sentence: "July fifteenth day of the Hungry Ghost". Formerly the notion that his father, lived in life not everyone who lost loved ones also worship.

Someone lost because unfortunately encountered war, natural disasters and epidemics. Some people are not driven to do evil that good, died when they become "ghosts" where corporal punishment "demon realms", each year only once been "absolved" of the positive part time receive Shirt clothing, food sacrificed by relatives. With the "death's" no family worship, with those who do evil, to date, "absolution" to help people living with the votive offerings, gruel, popcorn ...

Put aside the notion of a period of "two worlds", we recognize here an important factor contributing to the reinforcement of traditional and cultural ways of the people is compassion, is the concept which and building capacity for harmonious living. "Hungry Ghost" is both a love for people unlucky, just show altruism towards people had bad behavior towards men. And have to say that the main things have contributed to maintaining the moral foundation of the Vietnam traditional society.

Today, life was different, awareness of the world, about human life has also changed. Man lives with his real life, by the hand and his intelligence to make a life for themselves, their families and society. Also so that a new and innovative criteria of quality, human behavior has been established. It is indispensable, is the need of the development process.

But the relationship between tradition and modernity, the relentless flow of culture to convey in which some human values ​​mean unchanging, can only expand and upgrade over time, not losing , such as filial piety such people. Although nowhere civilized society, though how filled life, each person must still be parents nurtured to maturity, so filial piety should always be appreciated.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the impact of lifestyle towards materialism, the material taken as a standard assessment of social relationships - people - family, then living emotionless attitude and selfish .. . did arise in the relations parents - children some deplorable phenomena, must be adjusted to preserve the moral health of society. For lack of filial piety role, we must recognize the duality. On the one hand, stems from some irresponsible parents in family education, abandoned children, social mercy or by satisfying the needs that push children to state corruption.

On the other hand, are due to lack of proper conception (even very wrong) some people for their parents. Persons responsible for child neglect. Valet is the duty of filial piety is more emotional. Who rely on money to conduct but forget that for parents, money is not everything. There are even cases of abusive parents were once public opinion vehemently condemned. Not to mention some fanfare signaling to profiteering, sacrifice, cost money, not necessarily for good luck sincerely with the dead ... The acts that can only be explained from the misconceptions and the weak self-adjustment of one's moral.

The right concept will have the correct behavior, especially when in its nature, filial piety has close ties with affection, with a sincere attitude. Regarding this, an ancient sage said: "Yes that is helping, with wine, good food tastes invite parents is reasonable? Keep being cheerful countenance when sharing with parents is what is difficult" "When parents are still alive, just staring at the enrichment, not taking care of their parents is not round filial piety" ...

As a philosopher once said, every myth contain a human idea of ​​reality, with Vu lan season and day "Hungry Ghost", his father wants her message to the children of filial piety teachings , to make people moral. Respectfully with parents is a common denominator of human culture, but every culture has different ways of expressing the same.

However, in culture, those who are still to taste the moral example of the community are enhanced. With Vietnam, Vu Lan also is on compassionate fellow, so the meaning was extended, so people are towards goodness. "Children dependable father, the old reliable", signaling the daily stories, in heart, in particular employment. Need to teach families what filial piety requires, through the behavior of parents with grandparents, ancestors to become a model for children. Disregarded this request, no one else, parents will suffer the consequences.

Eventual rain poured, the weather started to collect. Vu lan season was on, the temple was renovated to welcome pilgrims. The sisters left her oblation offerings prepared parents, grandparents and other "human casualties". Re eager to taste but not for people caught up in the waste, for good luck, neglect the practical signaling behavior. For if truly to taste, then every day will be a day Vu lan.

Source: ND

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THE ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE BUDDHIST FLAG

Buddhism is a religion of humility, focus on spirituality and wisdom, aims to liberate people from the world of volatility and suffering. Buddhism does not advocate the supremacy struggle, consolidation or expansion forces in the world affected this impermanence. Buddhism does not see heavy colorful forms and symbols, so the Buddhist flag has what role and position it like in the context of Buddhism today. For more than two thousand five hundred years of history Dharma Buddhist flag appeared when and where, what is its significance?
Buddhism originated flag

Buddhist flag we see today was born in 1880 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). People with opinions giving Buddhism a flag is a former US Army colonel: Henry Steel Olcoott.

He arrived in Sri Lanka Olcoott first time in 1879, and shortly thereafter he became very passionate Buddhist. In 1880 he returned to Sri Lanka and the Colombo Buddhist Commission proposal gives Buddhism a flag. The form and color of the flag comes from his creative mind Olcoot, based on six halo of Buddha and the colors of the rainbow. The flag also symbolizes Luc, immediately six lines can regenerate or six types of all beings in samsara.

The flag was officially accepted on Sri Lankan soil on the occasion of Buddha's birthday April 28, 1885. However, sales to the date May 25, 1950, during an international Buddhist conference in Colombo (Sri Lanka ), with 26 participating countries, the new five-color flag was formally and unanimously approved, the unified voice of the Buddhist world.

Today, a common flag for all of Buddhism - the symbol of Peace, Compassion and Wisdom, regardless of color and race, without distinction between humans and other life all - was waving MOT in the territory of more than 50 countries worldwide. February 24 in 1951 monks Su Lien, representing the world's Buddhist Commission in Vietnam, to attend the Colombo conference had personally brought this precious flag of our homeland.

FORMS FLAG

Flag rectangle, divided into six sections vertically. Colors include shades of the rainbow, but only five selected colors: blue, yellow, red, white, orange (or saffron), sixth striped flag represents the synthesis of the color respectively. So Friday stripes repeat all five colors, but put horizontally.

Documents relating to the original proposal of Mr. H.S. Olcoott explanation of the flag because he suggested is indeed hard to find. These documents can still be kept in the archives of Ceylon (?). This article is based on a number of recent documents of the West. In the document it, how to interpret the color seems less coherent or use words not fit for much Dharma. Here is a summary of the symbolic meaning of the colors:

1) Blue color symbolizes «Meditation».

2) The color yellow symbolizes the "right thinking", could be «The thinking» (?) In the Noble Eightfold Path.

3) Red stands for "spiritual vitality" (?).

4) White symbolizes the «Faith» (?).

5) orange or saffron symbolize «intelligence» (?), This is also «Wisdom» (?).

6) Color Friday, synthesis of the color just mentioned, represents «acts without any discrimination".

The above documents may also have been based on his suggestions Olcoott (?). Anyway, the flag is only a symbol, and the meaning that we assign to it is because of us. The meaning of the flag will be a wider discussion in the second part of the article.

HENRY STEEL OLCOOTT, WHO ARE YOU?

At least H.S. Olcoott nor is it a totally anonymous. He was born on 2 - August 1832 in New Jersey (USA) in a very Protestant family and religious discipline. Right from childhood days his parents encouraged his interest in spiritual matters. His father was a merchant, but in 1951, the family went bankrupt, and he had to leave the university. After a hiatus education and living off relatives in Ohio, he returned to college and become an agricultural expert. He wrote reports and scientific research. Married in 1860, four children were born, but later the couple divorced in 1874.


When the American Civil War occurred, he joined the federal army, hold administrative positions rather important. To 1865, he applied for demobilized and returned to study law and become a lawyer. He continued writing.

1874 marked a major turning point in his life. That year was 42, he met a woman who is very strange and special, and the two friends together. Mrs. Helene Petrovna Blavatsky That is, a woman originally from Russia, belonging to a very noble family - perhaps even noble than the tsar's family at the time. She was very interested in mystical matters, had traveled many places in the world, including India and Tibet and wrote many books. Madame Blavatsky and Mr. Olcoott with one more friend William Quan Judge is standing up founded the Theosophical Society, a tradition that includes all religions. Olcoott He was elected President of this Assembly.

In 1878, the headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Adyar was transferred from the US, a province on the outskirts of Madras in India. This head office is still in operation to this day. But what is raised above all he Olcoott and Madame Blavatsky to the country on January Meters May 16, 1880, and the public is welcome Colombo very solemn because they had known him or had heard about him from before . May 25, he Olcoott and Blavatsky came to kneel in front of a giant Buddha statue at the temple and sung in English Wijananda Pa-li vows questions about Tam regulations (the Buddha, the refuge in the Dharma, Sangha ) and the five precepts (do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not say nonsense, not drunk), to obtain refuge.

Public opinion generally attributed to the time he was nicknamed the "white Buddhists". Indeed he was one of the first Americans had taken refuge. Then, although he went to Sri Lanka several times, and each time only remain for a short time, he has established many Buddhist universities, such as the Ananda and Nalanda University, the Buddhist College Visakha Vidyalaya and Dharmaraja school ..., a total of nearly 400 Buddhist schools. He helps people recover traditional Sri Lankan Buddhism, against foreign influence by British colonists introduced to Sri Lanka. In addition, he has fans all movement against British colonial rule over this land. In July the same year, ie 1880, he left Colombo as a hero of the nation Sri Lanka. Then he turned back to the 1881, 1882 and 1884. In 1884 he left Sri Lanka he came straight London and demanded the British government to implement his six terms given in advocacy purposes Buddhists Meters lan oppressed and restricted living Buddha on their homeland. British authorities accepted only two terms only. The facts recounted above only the sole purpose of his presentation Olcoott enthusiasm for Buddhism in general and for Sri Lankan Buddhists in particular only. Not only did he have the advocate and help restore Buddhism to Sri Lanka but also pave the way for Buddhism in America anymore.

He died on February 17, 1907 at Adyar. It was up on him an American flag and a flag bearing the Buddhist then cremated. Since then, February 17 has become one of Sri Lanka holidays. Pupils and students together with the monks, Buddhism holds flag march, and laid a wreath at the foot of the offering memorandum memorial to his merit. Today, a major street in Colombo that bears his name.

1874 marked a major turning point in his life. That year was 42, he met a woman who is very strange and special, and the two friends together. Mrs. Helene Petrovna Blavatsky That is, a woman originally from Russia, belonging to a very noble family - perhaps even noble than the tsar's family at the time. She was very interested in mystical matters, had traveled many places in the world, including India and Tibet and wrote many books. Madame Blavatsky and Mr. Olcoott with one more friend William Quan Judge is standing up founded the Theosophical Society, a tradition that includes all religions. Olcoott He was elected President of this Assembly.

In 1878, the headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Adyar was transferred from the US, a province on the outskirts of Madras in India. This head office is still in operation to this day. But what is raised above all he Olcoott and Madame Blavatsky to the country on January Meters May 16, 1880, and the public is welcome Colombo very solemn because they had known him or had heard about him from before . May 25, he Olcoott and Blavatsky came to kneel in front of a giant Buddha statue at the temple and sung in English Wijananda Pa-li vows questions about Tam regulations (the Buddha, the refuge in the Dharma, Sangha ) and the five precepts (do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not say nonsense, not drunk), to obtain refuge.

Public opinion generally attributed to the time he was nicknamed the "white Buddhists". Indeed he was one of the first Americans had taken refuge. Then, although he went to Sri Lanka several times, and each time only remain for a short time, he has established many Buddhist universities, such as the Ananda and Nalanda University, the Buddhist College Visakha Vidyalaya and Dharmaraja school ..., a total of nearly 400 Buddhist schools. He helps people recover traditional Sri Lankan Buddhism, against foreign influence by British colonists introduced to Sri Lanka. In addition, he has fans all movement against British colonial rule over this land. In July the same year, ie 1880, he left Colombo as a hero of the nation Sri Lanka. Then he turned back to the 1881, 1882 and 1884. In 1884 he left Sri Lanka he came straight London and demanded the British government to implement his six terms given in advocacy purposes Buddhists Meters lan oppressed and restricted living Buddha on their homeland. British authorities accepted only two terms only. The facts recounted above only the sole purpose of his presentation Olcoott enthusiasm for Buddhism in general and for Sri Lankan Buddhists in particular only. Not only did he have the advocate and help restore Buddhism to Sri Lanka but also pave the way for Buddhism in America anymore.

He died on February 17, 1907 at Adyar. It was up on him an American flag and a flag bearing the Buddhist then cremated. Since then, February 17 has become one of Sri Lanka holidays. Pupils and students together with the monks, Buddhism holds flag march, and laid a wreath at the foot of the offering memorandum memorial to his merit. Today, a major street in Colombo that bears his name.

THE MEANING OF THE BUDDHIST FLAG

How to explain the colors of the flag as described in the section above are based on several documents in French. In some documents in English, the other explanations than slightly, but still lack a coherent and unified. The following are common interpretations:

1) BLUE color symbolizes compassion.

2) YELLOW symbolizes the Middle Way.

3) RED stands for Ethics.

4) WHITE symbolizes the Dharma beyond space and time.

5) ORANGE symbolizes wisdom.

6) THE COMBINATION COLOR (the 6th color ) represents the absolute truth.

For some reason there are differences in the symbolic meaning of colors as shown, so we should not be so focused and precise in explaining each color. Consider Buddhist flag symbolizing Buddha's halo is enough. Scripture says that when Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, then his body became bright, bright light is shone on the head of the Buddha wide, forming a six-color radiant halo.

The flag is divided into six sections, or six vertical stripes, can symbolize the six types of beings, animals or the Clerk Clerk religion news (hell, hungry ghosts, animals, people, Asura and disasters) . Striped Friday synthesis of five colors, symbolizing harmony, does not distinguish between all beings. Buddhist flags such non-discriminatory nationality, color and race between people, but also advocated respect and harmony all forms and forms of life.

We can also see the Buddhist flag is the light of the rainbow. The colors on the flag are the colors of the rainbow. For Tibetan Buddhists, the rainbow symbolizes sambhogakaya (Sambhogakaya), or the embodiment of Buddha, the form of the Buddha.

After all, everyone will find a little of their national flag on the five-color flag of Buddhism. Buddhist flags do not pull up to identify or mark territory at all, it can only be pulled up in a very large place, a borderless Jiangshan, beyond all contention. Jiangshan Jiangshan were of compassion and generosity, of love and hope. Jiangshan that such large and vast space.

Nor Buddhist flag represents a doctrine or a pride at all. Buddhist flag is a symbol of peace, not a drop of blood stained, of a drop of blood, whether small creatures and most trivial. Buddhist flag was hoisted to remind us just sacrifice everything for the welfare and happiness of humanity and all living beings.

The flag does not call and do not provoke me to exhale to cope with an enemy at all. For Buddhists, the dangerous enemies and the most difficult to conquer an enemy who dwells within my mind, lurking in my body. Enemies in mind is ignorance, hatred, greed and attachment; enemies lurking in the body is bestial instincts of us.

CONCLUDE

A flag in general, just an icon and we can give it any meaning we like. For the Buddhist flag, so can we also see it with many cheerful colors that look like an ornament in the entrance, the door or on the Buddhist altar.

But who knows that, at some point, when we look at the Buddhist flag, our mind will suddenly lit up the aura of the Buddha, bright and colorful.

When I saw the flag, suddenly I will shop can get all six types of beings: from ghosts, demons hungry animals, from humans to saints and celestial beings, without distinction, not hate, no hatred or jealousy. It all came to me was fumbled in the darkness, like walking in a dream stay. Then our mind is agitated strongly by boundless compassion and wished we sow our love throughout the six realms of samsara.

Or maybe seeing Buddhist flags, our mind suddenly saw a light rainbow harmony, connecting our mind and the mind of the Buddha.

Only when done so, then perhaps then we may they have the strength to fully understand the true meaning of the Buddhist flag was.

Source: Hoasen library

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